Observing that lack of coordination between concerned departments and indulgence in ‘blame-game’ are the main reasons behind failure of the Government to check tragic road accidents in the State in general and on Batote-Kishtwar National Highway 1B in particular, House Committee of the Legislative Assembly has recommended constitution of a full-fledged Traffic Regulatory Authority having the responsibility and accountability for the regulation and management of vehicular traffic and to avoid rolling of responsibilities from one department to another. The panel has also taken serious note of the State Vigilance Organization closing the case of fake licenses and stressed that stern action should be taken against the erring officers.
"It is a matter of serious concern that enquiry into the issue of fake licenses in certain areas particularly in Doda and Udhampur districts has not been taken to its logical conclusion by the State Vigilance Organization on the pretext that facts could not be established in the absence of records", said the House Committee headed by CPM MLA, Mohd Yousaf Tarigami, in its report tabled in the Legislative Assembly today.
Terming the statement of the Vigilance Organization that the case has been closed on account of non-availability of records as disgusting, the House Committee said, "the argument given by the organization is not justified as the issuance of fake licenses has been the major reason for loss of human lives in the road accidents all over the State in general and the specified area in particular".
Observing that Vigilance Organization should have taken recourse to every possible mechanism to investigate the matter and establish the facts instead of closure of the case on the pretext of non-availability of records, the Committee has recommended stern action against the officers in Vigilance Organization, Jammu, for the closure of the investigation under Verification No. SVO/Veri-UDR-47/2010-14856 without any serious efforts.
It has also recommended that Government should take necessary steps to finalize the verification and initiate action against the officers responsible for issuing fake licenses and concealing/ misplacing the relevant information. Moreover, the House Committee has asked the Transport Department to decide the fate of driving licenses for which the records are not available in the ARTO offices of erstwhile Doda district especially for operation of passenger service vehicles, within a specified period of time to rule out the misuse of fake licenses even as on date.
Pointing towards the lack of adequate number of SRTC buses and resulting overloading by the private transporters, the Committee observed that 15 buses were plying in the area during 2010 when the Chief Minister directed that the services should be augmented by way of providing 15 new buses. The Department replaced the old fleet instead of its augmentation by introducing 15 new buses and withdrawing the old ones.
Apprehending nexus between the SRTC and private transport operators at the cost of precious human lives, the Committee has directed the Corporation to restore the fleet position of 2009-10 with the addition of 34 new vehicles already sanctioned by the Chief Minister without any further delay. It has also directed the Corporation to augment its operations in the erstwhile Doda district by way of immediate purchase of 34 small wheel based buses under Special Plan Assistance of Rs 3crore provided for the purpose by the Transport Department.
It has suggested that SRTC should refrain from diversion/ withdrawal of vehicles plying on the specified routes at all costs and establish workshops at all three district headquarters to facilitate immediate repairs to the vehicles, which is imperative to check shortage of the vehicles.
"Since number of departments/ agencies are involved in regulation of traffic and lack of similarity in the priorities nullify the efforts of one or the other department intentionally or un-intentionally, there is a dire need to constitute a full-fledged Traffic Regulatory Authority under one roof having the responsibility and accountability for the regulation and management of vehicular traffic in the State and to avoid rolling of responsibilities from one department to another", the Committee said.
It has suggested that the State Government should approach Central Government and seek adequate financial assistance for Beacon organization as per their projections. "The State Government should also seek early approval of the proposal for supply of 12 Basic Life Saving Ambulances and 12 ten-ton and 13 small recovery cranes, which has already been submitted under the National Highways Accident Relief Service Scheme.
As far as department wise suggestions are concerned, the House Panel has recommended that Home Department should set up Traffic Police Posts equipped with CCTV cameras and required communication system at suitable distances to curb all sorts of traffic violations including overloading in passenger vehicles, set up traffic check posts to verify the particulars of the drivers and conductors to prevent driving of vehicles by unauthorized drivers, ensure time table of all passenger service vehicles, prevent diversion of routes by SRTC and other transport agencies having specific route permits and arrange highway patrolling.
It has recommended that Planning and Development Department should immediately approve a proposal submitted by the Transport Department for provision of Rs 9.30 crore during 2011-12 and Rs 3.80 crore during 2012-13 for purchase of 76 mini coaches and 15 (47 seater) buses for exclusive use in the hilly districts of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Poonch, Reasi and Rajouri. "The Planning and Development Department should also approve project costing Rs 20.16 crore for providing infrastructure to the Quick Reaction Teams and improvement of internal district roads", the Committee said.
It has suggested that Public Works Department and Beacon should take up on priority the upgradation and improvement of Batote-Kishtwar road and the internal roads of erstwhile Doda district, construct concrete crash barriers and parapets of specific height on the river side in all vulnerable areas, widen sharp curves, install warning signals, glow sign boards and reflectors at required locations.
About the Transport Department, it has suggested holding of trials of the drivers holding licenses to drive passenger service vehicles, ban issuance of licenses to drive passenger service vehicle without successful completion of professional training in driving schools, frame time-table for operation of passenger service vehicles, outsource fitness test, amend Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and J&K Motor Vehicles Rules, 1991 to make the penalty provisions more stringent in order to deter the offenders besides empowering all Ist Class Magistrates and ban plying of 407 four wheeled base mini-bus in hilly districts.
The House Committee headed by CPM MLA, Mohd Yousaf Tarigami was constituted on May 10, 2011 after the issue of frequent tragic road accidents was raised by the National Conference MLA from Kishtwar, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo and serious concern was expressed by MLAs cutting across party lines during the last Budget Session.
It held series of meetings with the officers of concerned departments and conducted spot inspections of Batote-Doda-Kishtwar National Highway 1B to assess the physical status of the road. The report of the House Committee was tabled in the Legislative Assembly by its member G M Saroori on behalf of Mohd Yousaf Tarigami.
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